Corrosion
Corrosion is the gradual breakdown of a material, usually a metal, caused by chemical or electrochemical reactions with its environment. In simple terms, the metal is trying to return to a more stable form, often by reacting with oxygen, water, salts, or acids. A common example is steel forming rust when iron reacts with oxygen and moisture, but corrosion can also affect aluminum, copper, brass, and other metals in different ways.
Corrosion can appear as surface discoloration, flaking, pitting, thinning, or cracking, depending on the metal and the conditions. Some of the most common types include uniform corrosion across a surface, pitting corrosion that creates small deep holes, and galvanic corrosion that can occur when two different metals touch each other in the presence of moisture. Good material selection, protective coatings, proper drainage and ventilation, and avoiding dissimilar metal contact are common ways to reduce corrosion.
Corrosion can appear as surface discoloration, flaking, pitting, thinning, or cracking, depending on the metal and the conditions. Some of the most common types include uniform corrosion across a surface, pitting corrosion that creates small deep holes, and galvanic corrosion that can occur when two different metals touch each other in the presence of moisture. Good material selection, protective coatings, proper drainage and ventilation, and avoiding dissimilar metal contact are common ways to reduce corrosion.
